Skills for various poker games

[robertsonjohn]

I am strictly a hold 'em player, and am only vaguely familiar with the basic rules of the other popular poker games (Omaha, Stud, etc.).

Assuming I were to read a book or two and spend some time learning strategy, would I find that the basic fundamental skills are about the same? Is a good hold 'em player likely to be good at the other games, or are they fundamentally different with different necessary skills?

[Iceman]

[ QUOTE ]
I am strictly a hold 'em player, and am only vaguely familiar with the basic rules of the other popular poker games (Omaha, Stud, etc.).

Assuming I were to read a book or two and spend some time learning strategy, would I find that the basic fundamental skills are about the same? Is a good hold 'em player likely to be good at the other games, or are they fundamentally different with different necessary skills?

[/ QUOTE ]

The major poker skills are important in almost all games, but different games emphasize specific skills to a greater degree. If you have a good understanding of general poker theory, then you will pick up new games easily once you learn a few basic points specific to that game. Based on your particular strengths and weaknesses as a player, you might find that you do much better in some games than in others.

In limit holdem, the factor that distinguishes experts from pretty good players is hand reading.

In no-limit holdem, once you learn the basic plays and decisions, the ability to get a read on an opponent is far more important than anything else.

In seven-card stud, there are a lot more possible situations than in holdem due to the partial information given by the upcards and the fact that everyone gets their own full set of cards. As a result it's very important to be able to adjust to different ante structures, game conditions, and unusual situations that arise.

Omaha-8 and stud-8 put more emphasis on strategies and less emphasis on reading players.

If a champion chess player wanted to learn poker, I would recommend that he learn stud-8. If a psychologist wanted to learn poker, I'd recommend that he learn no-limit holdem.

[Mike J]

I must say, that IMHO....

Iceman just knocked it out of the park, excellent post! I never really looked at it that way, but that makes a lot of sense.